The pour was a clear mahogany brown with an average (1-2 finger) beige creamy head that receded slowly, down to a thin scattered film and large collar with fair spotty lacing.
The aroma was of a strong pine hop, toasted grain malts and an earthy yeast with notes of toffee, allspice, dark fruit (plums), a mild nuttiness and a slight alcohol tinge.
The taste was lightly sweet and malty with a mild fruitiness and a slight toffee sweetness early on, and then became exceptionally bitter with a bold hop presence and a moderate spicy alcohol finish. The flavor lasted a good long while following the swallow, with a bitter hop taste along with a spicy alcohol warming left behind to linger a tad longer.
Mouthfeel was a step of two below medium in body and had a dry texture with a medium carbonation.
Overall this was a decent enough brew with a nice bold hoppiness not normally found in a Winter Warmer, although it does work rather well with this style...
